City of Manila

UNIVERSIDAD DE MANILA
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
2nd SEM 2020 – 2021

SUMITTED BY: HERRERA, Mary Jaycel L. SECTION: NR 23

SUBJECT: Manila Studies SUBMITTED TO: Mr. George Bedia

Compare and contrast the following. Choose only one topic:

a. Pre-colonial Manila and Manila during Spanish regime;

Pre-Colonial Manila

Today when we think of historic Manila, the Spanish fortified city of Intramuros comes to mind. But in
1000 A.D., or 500 years prior to the arrival of Spaniards in Manila, a settlement (along the banks of the
present day Pasig River) termed Sapa by Leandro and Cecilia Locsin already existed in the present day
Santa Ana, Manila. Its archaeology is considered one of the earliest evidence of a continuous occupation
in the area of Manila for at least a thousand years prior to the Spanish settlement. In the Santa Ana
Church, archaeologists found a midden deposit (garbage mound) of Chinese ceramics, shells, and bones
of pig, deer, and water buffalo alongside human burials.
 City of Manila
UNIVERSIDAD DE MANILA
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
2nd SEM 2020 – 2021

What the discovery of the Laguna Copper Plate Inscription informed us is that in the 10th century,
Tondo was already an established polity. Spanish accounts mentioned that it was a thriving settlement
located upstream at the northern bank of the Pasig River ruled by Rajah Lakandula (Lakan Dula), with
complex political hierarchy and established alliances. It was even an entrepot of goods from China,
Japan, Borneo, Siam, and the Malay peninsula before the Spanish move their trade center in Manila. The
Rajah, according to Spanish accounts, was a Bruneian noble who was sent to be a port supervisor in
Tondo to oversaw the flow of trade into and out of Pasig. He was also related by blood to the rulers of
Manila, Raja Ladyang Matanda or Ache and his nephew and heir, Raja Sulayman (Suleyman or
Soliman).

During Colonial Period

For a long period before Magellan discovered the Philippines in 1531, commercial relations had existed
between the archipelago and the Chinese Empire. Whew the Spaniards came the natives had already
learned to dress in silk and cotton goods imported from China. Juan Salcedo found Chinese vessels
 City of Manila
UNIVERSIDAD DE MANILA
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
2nd SEM 2020 – 2021

harbored in Manila Bay. The Chinese traded clothing materials, needles, and other manufactured articles
with gold dust and woods

The Spanish troops found Manila behind strong breastworks on the Pasig River where now stands Fort
Santiago .Twelve cannons responded to the attacks the Spaniards whose arms proved superior to those
of the inhabitants and the city was captured.

Miguel Lopez de Legaspi had been informed of Manila — its location and natural- advantages —
whereupon preparations at once were made to take possession of the city.

b. Manila during Spanish time with Manila during American time

American settlement in the

Philippines began during the
Spanish colonial period. The
period of American
colonialization of the Philippines
lasted 48 years, from cession of
the Philippines to the U.S. by
Spain in 1898 to U.S. recognition
of Philippine independence in
1946. After independence in
1946, many Americans chose to
remain in the Philippines while
maintaining relations with
relatives in the US. Most of them
were professionals, but
missionaries continued to settle
the country.

The United States invaded the Philippines, which was then governed by Spain as the Spanish East
Indies, during the Spanish–American War. After the conclusion of that war, Philippine revolutionaries
declared independence as the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines. Wanting to maintain a
stronghold over the island nation as a stepping stone to Japan and continental Asia, the United States
maintained authority of the archipelago and the Philippine–American War ensued. America then held
the Philippines until granting full independence on July 4, 1946.
 City of Manila
UNIVERSIDAD DE MANILA
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
2nd SEM 2020 – 2021

c. Post World War II Manila and Manila now

Anyone south of the Pasig River was trapped by the constant crossfire of Japanese and American
artillery. The author points out the decision to use US artillery did not come easily. MacArthur wanted
to save as much of the city as he possibly could. At the same time, US commanders were more
concerned about saving the lives of American soldiers. The US war correspondent and author, John Dos
Passos, wrote, “It was like a bowling alley over our heads, guns shooting first from one side then from
another.” More than one Filipino after the battle blamed the Americans for destroying their city with
artillery.

The last stronghold held by the Japanese was the Agriculture Building and it was there where Iwabuchi
held up. He realized surrender was not an option; with a knife he “slit open his belly.” On March 3 the
Battle of Manila was over. The destruction of Manila was complete and its consequences would last for
generations. Yamashita was tried by a military tribunal and on February 23, 1946, was hung.
 City of Manila
UNIVERSIDAD DE MANILA
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
2nd SEM 2020 – 2021

The city has undergone rapid economic development since its destruction in World War II and its
subsequent rebuilding; it is now plagued with the familiar urban problems of pollution, traffic
congestion, and overpopulation. Measures have been taken, however, to ameliorate those problems.
Architectural styles reflect American, Spanish, Chinese, and Malay influences. Rizal Park and a number
of government buildings were designed by U.S. architect and city planner Daniel H. Burnham. Modern
buildings—including multistoried commercial houses and public and private buildings—are commonly
made of reinforced concrete and hollow cement blocks. The churches of the city are American, Spanish,
or European in character. The Manila cathedral was rebuilt in the 1950s and is an important landmark. It
succeeds five earlier cathedrals—the first dating from the mid-16th century—that were destroyed either
by earthquakes or during wartime.

The centre of the performing arts in the country is the Philippine Cultural Center. There is also the Folk
Arts Theater, facing Manila Bay, the renovated historic Metropolitan Theatre, and an open-air theatre in
Rizal Park. The many libraries and museums include the National Library and the National Museum,
known for its anthropological and archaeological exhibits; the National Institute of Science and
Technology, with a scientific reference library and large collections of plants and animals; the
geological museum of the Bureau of Mines and Geosciences; the Planetarium; Fort Santiago, which
houses original works of the Philippine patriot José Rizal; and the Kamaynilaan (Manila City) Library
and Museum, which contains valuable carvings, paintings, and archives.